Yoruba Language Resources

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Yoruba Alphabet

Learning the Yoruba alphabet is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. Without it, you will not be able to say words properly even if you know how to write those words. The better you pronounce a letter in a word, the more understood you will be in speaking the Yoruba language.

Below is a table showing the Yoruba alphabet and how it is pronounced in English, and finally examples of how those letters would sound if you place them in a word.

Yoruba Alphabet English Sound Pronunciation Example a [a] as in father b [b] as in bay c [ʨ] ch as in chay d [d] as in day e [ɛ] as in elephant f [f] as in fine g _[ɡ] as in gold h [h] as in house

i [i] 'ee' as in meat

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Yoruba

Alphabet English Sound Pronunciation Example

k [k] as in kitchen l [l] as in life m [m] as in man n [n] as in nice o [o] as in olive p [p] as in pool q [k] as in kiss r [r] as in rice s [s] as in smile t [t] as in time

u [u] 'oo' as in mood

v [f] f as in free

w [w] as in wind

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Yoruba

Alphabet English Sound Pronunciation Example

y [j] as in year

z [z] as in Zulu

Yoruba Pronunciation

You saw how a letter is written and might be pronounced, but there is nothing better than

hearing the sound of the letters in a video or audio. Below you will be able to hear how the letters above are pronounced, just press the play button:

The alphabet and its pronunciation have a very important role in Yoruba, therefore they need very special attention.

Yoruba Adjectives

Learning the Yoruba Adjectives is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Adjectives in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. Here are some examples:

English Adjectives Yoruba Adjectives

adjectives

a green tree Igi alawo ewe

a tall building Ile giga

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the old red house Ile atijo alawo eje

a very nice friend Ore todara pupo

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Adjectives in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Adjectives above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba.

List of Adjectives in Yoruba

Below is a list of the Adjectives, Colors, Shapes, Sizes in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

colors

black Dudu

green Alawo ewe

orange Alawo osan

red Alawo eje

white Alawo efun

yellow Alawo oorun

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big Nla

deep Jin

long Gun or gigun

narrow Tinrin

short Kuru or kukuru

small Kekere tall Ga thick Nipon thin Tirin wide Gbooro straight Tooro tastes

bitter Koro or Kikoro

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salty Iyo ja

sour Kikan or kan

spicy Alata or otaa

sweet Adun or didun

qualities

bad Ibaje

clean Mo

dark Okuku or dudu

difficult Ole

dirty Idoti

dry Gbigbe

easy Irorun

empty korofo

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English Adjectives Yoruba Adjectives fast aawe foreign ajoji full ekun good rere hard lile heavy wuwo inexpensive ponkulowo light fele new titun noisy ariwo old arugbo powerful alagbara quiet Idake je correct beeni

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English Adjectives Yoruba Adjectives soft ro very gan weak re e wet tutu wrong beeko

young omode or odo

quantities

few die

little die

many opo or pupo

much opo or pupo

part ara or eya ara

some awon

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whole odidi

Adjectives, Colors, Shapes, Sizes have a very important role in Yoruba, therefore they need very special attention.

Yoruba Adverbs

Learning the Yoruba Adverbs is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Adverbs in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba adverbs are part of speech. Generally they're words that modify any part of language other than a noun. Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives (including numbers), clauses, sentences and other adverbs. Here are some examples:

English Adverbs Yoruba Adverbs

adverbs

I read a book

sometimes Mo ma nka iwe kan nigba kankan

I will never smoke Nko ni mu ciga

are you alone? Se odawa ni?

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Adverbs in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Adverbs above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Adverbs in Yoruba

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Below is a list of the Adverbs of time place manner and frequency in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

adverbs of time

yesterday Ana

today Eni or Loni

tomorrow Ola

now Nisisiyin

then Nigbaye

later Tobaya

tonight Lale oni or ale oni

right now Nisisiyin

last night Ale ana

this morning Owuro yi

next week Ose to nbo

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lately Laipe yi

soon Laipe yi

immediately Kiakia

still Sibe or sibe sibe

yet Sibe or sibe sibe

ago Laipe yi

adverbs of place

here Nibiyi

there Nibeye

over there Nibeye

everywhere Gbogbo ibi

anywhere Gbogbo ibi

nowhere Kosibi

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out Ode or ita

adverbs of manner very Gan quite Idake pretty Rewa really Looto fast Yara

well Odaa or Odara

hard Lile quickly Kiakia slowly diedie carefully sora hardly sasa barely sasa

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mostly opo or opolopo

absolutely dandan together lapapo alone daduro adverbs of frequency always Gbogbogba frequently leralera usually leralera

List of Ordinal Numbers in Yoruba

Yoruba Ordinal numbers tell the order of things in a set: first, second, third, etc. Ordinal numbers do not show quantity. They only show rank or position. Below is a list of the Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers in Yoruba. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

English Numbers Yoruba Numbers

Ordinal Numbers

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English Numbers Yoruba Numbers second Ekeji third Eketa fourth Ekerin fifth Ekarun sixth Ekefa seventh Ekeje eighth Ekejo ninth Ekesan tenth Ekewa eleventh Okankola twelfth Ekejila thirteenth Eketala fourteenth Ekerinla fifteenth Eekedogun

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English Numbers Yoruba Numbers sixteenth Ekerindinlogun seventeenth Eketadinlogun eighteenth Ekejidinlogun nineteenth Okandinlogun twentieth Ogun once Eekan twice Emeji Yoruba Nouns

Learning the Yoruba Nouns is very important, because its structure is used in every day

conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Nouns in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba nouns are words used to name a person, animal, place, thing, or abstract ideas. Nouns are usually the most important part of vocabulary. Here are some examples:

English Nouns Yoruba Nouns

nouns

my car Moto mi or oko mi

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three cars Moto meta or oko meta

car garage Ibugbe moto

outside the car Ita moto

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Nouns in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Nouns above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Nouns in Yoruba

Below is a list of the Nouns and Words in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

arm Apa

back Eyin

cheeks Ereke or eeke

chest Aya

ear Eti

eye Oju

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finger ika

fingers Omo ika

foot Ese hair Irun hand Owo head Ori heart Okan knee Orikun leg Ese lip Ete mouth Enu neck Orun nose Imu shoulder Ejika

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stomach Iku

teeth Eyin

thigh Ese

throat Ofun

thumb Omo ika

toe Omo ese

tongue Ahon

tooth Eyin

Yoruba Articles

Learning the Yoruba Articles is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Articles in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba articles are words that combine with a noun to indicate the type of reference being made by the noun. Generally articles specify the grammatical definiteness of the noun. Examples are "the, a, and an". Here are some examples:

English Articles Yoruba Articles

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English Articles Yoruba Articles

one Eyokan

some die

few die

the book Iwa naa

the books Awon Iwe naa

a book Iwe kan

one book Iwe kan

some books Awon Iwe naa

few books Iwe die

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Articles in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Articles above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Articles in Yoruba

Below is a list of vocabulary where you can use the Definite and Indefinite Articles in Yoruba. Try to practice but also memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary

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bread Buredi

breakfast Onje aaro

butter Bota

candy Switi

chicken Ediye

dinner Onje ale

fish Eja

fruit Eso

lamb Omo aguntan

lemon Oson wewe

lunch Onje osan

meal Onje

meat Eran

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plants Ohun ogbin

pork Eran Elede

salt Iyo

soup Obe

sugar Suga

supper Onje asale

turkey tolotolo

apple apple

banana Ogede

oranges Osan

peanut Epa

pineapple Osan oyibo

vegetables Efo

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary onions alubosa peppers ata beans ewa tomatoes tomato Yoruba Pronouns

Learning the Yoruba Pronouns is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Pronouns in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba pronouns include personal pronouns (refer to the persons speaking, the persons spoken to, or the persons or things spoken about), indefinite pronouns, relative pronouns (connect parts of sentences) and reciprocal or reflexive pronouns (in which the object of a verb is being acted on by verb's subject). Here are some examples:

English Pronouns Yoruba Pronouns

Pronouns

I emi

you iwo

he oun

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English Pronouns Yoruba Pronouns we awa they awon me emi you iwo him oun her oun us awa them awon my temi

your Ire, Iwo, Tire

his Toun

her Toun

our

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English Pronouns Yoruba Pronouns

mine Temi

yours Tire

his Toun

hers Toun

ours Tiwa, tawa

theirs Tawon, tiwon

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Pronouns in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Pronouns above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Pronouns in Yoruba

Below is a list of the Personal pronouns, indefinite pronouns, relative pronouns, reciprocal or reflexive pronouns in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

English

Pronouns Yoruba Pronouns

I speak Mo soro

you speak Iwo soro, O soro

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English

she speaks O soro

we speak A soro

they speak won soro

give me Funmi

give you Fun e

give him Fun n

give her fun n

give us Funwa

give them Funwon

my book Iwe mi

your book Iwe re

his book Iwe re (different tonation on _"re")

her book Iwe re (different tonation on _"re")

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English

their book Iwe won

Yoruba Plural

Learning the Yoruba Plural is very important, because its structure is used in every day

conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Plural in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba Plurals are grammatical numbers, typically referring to more than one of the referent in the real world. In the English language, singular and plural are the only grammatical numbers. Here are some examples:

English Plural Yoruba Plural

Plural

my book Iwe mi

my books Awon iwe mi

our daughter Omowa obirin

our daughters Awo omowa lobirin

I'm cold Otutu nmumi

we're cold Otutu nmuwa

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their chicken Ediye won

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Plural in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Plural above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Plurals in Yoruba

Below is a list of the Plurals and Singulars in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

alligator Elegungun

alligators Elegungun

bird Eye

birds Awon eye

cat Olongbo

cats Awon olongbo

cow Maalu

cows Awon maalu

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dogs Awon aja

donkey Ketekete

donkeys Awon ketekete

eagle Asa

eagles Awon asa

elephant Erin

elephants Awon erin

goat Ewure

goats Awon ewure

horse Esin

horses Awon Esin

lion Kiniun

lions Awon Kiniun

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monkeys Awon obo

mouse Eku

mice Awom eku

rabbit Ehoro

rabbits Awon ehoro

snake Ejo

snakes Awon ejo

Yoruba Feminine

Learning the Yoruba Feminine is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Feminine in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba feminine refers to female qualities attributed specifically to women and girls or things considered feminine. The complement to feminine is masculine. Here are some examples:

English Feminine Yoruba Feminine

Feminine

he is happy Inu re dun

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English Feminine Yoruba Feminine

he is American Omo ilu America ni

she is American Omo ilu America ni

man Okunrin

woman Obirin

father Baba

mother Mama, iya

brother Omo iya lokunrin

sister Omo iya lobirin

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Feminine in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Feminine above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba. List of Feminine in Yoruba

Below is a list of objects, can you determine whether they're feminine, masculine or plural in Yoruba? Memorizing this table will also help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

cow maalu

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girl Odomode obirin

objects

bathroom Baluwe

bed beedi

bedroom Yara Ibusun

ceiling Orile chair Aga clothes Aso coat Ewu desk Tabili dress Aso floor Ile

furniture Aga ijoko

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hat Fila

house Ile

ink Omi ikowe

jacket Aso

kitchen Yara Isenje

knife Obe

lamp Atupa

letter leta

newspaper Iwe Iroyin

notebook Ikowe

pants Sokoto

paper Ikowe

pen gege

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picture Aworan

plate Abo

restaurant Ile ita onje

roof Orile room Iyara rug Itele shirt aso shoes bata soap Ose socks Ibose spoon Sibi table Tabili

toilet Ile-Igbe or Ile Iyagbe

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toothpaste Ose Ifoyin

towel Taweli

underwear Awotele

wall Ogiri

wallet Apo Ifowopamo

telephone Ero Ibanisoro

Yoruba Verbs

Learning the Yoruba Verbs is very important, because its structure is used in every day

conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language. But first we need to know what's the role of Verbs in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba. Yoruba verbs are words that convey action (bring, read, walk, run), or a state of being (exist, stand). In most languages a verb may agree with the person, gender, and/or number of some of its arguments, such as its subject, or object. Here are some examples:

English Verbs Yoruba Verbs

Verbs

Past Ikoja

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English Verbs Yoruba Verbs I wrote Mo kowe I drove Mo wa moto I loved Mo feran I gave Mo fun I smiled Mo rerin I took Mo mu he spoke O Soro he wrote O Kowe he drove O wa moto he loved O feran he gave O fun he smiled O rerin he took O mu we spoke A soro

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English Verbs Yoruba Verbs we wrote A rerin we drove A wa moto we loved A feran we gave A fun we smiled A rerin we took A mu Future

I will speak Ma soro

I will write Ma kowe

I will drive Ma wa moto

I will love Ma feran

I will give Ma fun

I will smile Ma rerin

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he will speak Oma soro

he will write Oma kowe

he will drive Oma wa moto

he will love Oma feran

he will give Oma fun

he will smile Oma rerin

he will take Oma mu

we will speak Amaa soro

we will write Amaa kowe

we will drive Amaa wa moto

we will love Amaa feran

we will give Amaa fun

we will smile Amaa rerin

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he speaks Oma nrerin

he writes Oma nkowe

he drives Oma nwa moto

he loves Om nferan

he gives Olawo

he smiles Oma nrerin

he takes Oma nmu

we speak A soro we write Akowe we drive A wa moto we love A feran we give A fun we smile A rerin

As you can see on the example above, the structure of the Verbs in Yoruba takes a logical pattern. Locate the Verbs above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Yoruba.

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List of Verbs in Yoruba

Below is a list of the conjugated Verbs in the present past and future in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba

vocabulary.

I can accept that Mole gba ye

she added it Oun lodapo mo

we admit it Awa gba be

they advised him Won fun ni imoran

I can agree with that Mo le fara mo iye

she allows it Oun logba

we announce it Awa lakede re

I can apologize Mole toro idariji

she appears today O fara han loni

they arranged that Won seto ye

I can arrive tomorrow Mole de lola/ mole de ni _ola

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she attaches that Oda iye po mo

we attack them A kogun jawon

they avoid her Won year fun

I can bake it Mole see

she is like him Odabi re

we beat it A naa

they became happy Inu won si dun

I can begin that Mole bere iye

we borrowed money A ya owo

they breathe air Won min ategun

I can bring it Mole muwa

I can build that Mole koye

she buys food O ra ounje

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they carry it Won gbe

they don't cheat Won kinse madaru

she chooses him O yan omokunrin na

we close it A pade

he comes here Omanwa sibi

I can compare that Mole se afarawe re

she competes with

me O figagbaga pelu mi

we complain about it Ase aniyan nipa re

they continued

reading Won nkawe lo

he cried about that Osun ekun olri re

I can decide now Mo le pinu nisisiyin

she described it to me O juwe re funmi

Yoruba Vocabulary

Learning the Yoruba Vocabulary is very important, because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Yoruba language.

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But first we need to know what's the role of Vocabulary in the structure of the grammar in Yoruba.

Yoruba vocabulary is the set of words you should be familiar with. A vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge. Here are some examples:

colors

black Dudu

green Alawo ewe

orange Alawo osan

red Alawo eje

white Alawo efun

yellow Alawo oorun

sizes

big Nla

deep Jin

long Gun or gigun

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short Kuru or kukuru

small Kekere tall Ga thick Nipon thin Tirin wide Gbooro straight Tooro tastes

bitter Koro or Kikoro

fresh Tutu

salty Iyo ja

sour Kikan or kan

spicy Alata or otaa

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qualities

bad Ibaje

clean Mo

dark Okuku or dudu

difficult Ole

dirty Idoti

dry Gbigbe

easy Irorun

empty korofo

expensive won or owon

fast aawe

foreign ajoji

full ekun

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary hard lile heavy wuwo inexpensive ponkulowo light fele new titun noisy ariwo old arugbo powerful alagbara quiet Idake je correct beeni soft ro very gan weak re e wet tutu

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wrong beeko

young omode or odo

quantities

few die

little die

many opo or pupo

much opo or pupo

part ara or eya ara

some awon

a few awon die

whole odidi

List of Vocabulary in Yoruba

Below is a list of the vocabulary and expressions in Yoruba placed in table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Yoruba vocabulary.

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary numbers one Okan two Eji three Eta four Erin five Arun six Efa seven Eje eight Ejo nine Ewa ten Mokanla twelve Mejila thirteen metala fourteen merinla

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary fifteen Medogun sixteen Merindinlogun seventeen Metadinlogun eighteen Medjidinlogun nineteen Mokandinlogun twenty Ogun hundred Ogorun Ordinal Numbers first Ekini second Ekeji third Eketa fourth Ekerin fifth Ekarun sixth Ekefa

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary seventh Ekeje eighth Ekejo ninth Ekesan tenth Ekewa eleventh Okankola twelfth Ekejila thirteenth Eketala fourteenth Ekerinla fifteenth Eekedogun sixteenth Ekerindinlogun seventeenth Eketadinlogun eighteenth Ekejidinlogun nineteenth Okandinlogun twentieth Ogun

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary once Eekan twice Emeji nouns arm Apa back Eyin

cheeks Ereke or eeke

chest Aya

ear Eti

eye Oju

face Oju

finger ika

fingers Omo ika

foot Ese

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English Vocabulary Yoruba Vocabulary hand Owo head Ori heart Okan knee Orikun leg Ese lip Ete mouth Enu neck Orun nose Imu shoulder Ejika stomach Iku teeth Eyin thigh Ese throat Ofun

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thumb Omo ika

toe Omo ese

tongue Ahon

tooth Eyin

bread Buredi

breakfast Onje aaro

butter Bota

candy Switi

chicken Ediye

dinner Onje ale

fish Eja

fruit Eso

lamb Omo aguntan

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lunch Onje osan

meal Onje

meat Eran

pepper Ata

plants Ohun ogbin

pork Eran Elede

salt Iyo

soup Obe

sugar Suga

supper Onje asale

turkey tolotolo

apple apple

banana Ogede

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peanut Epa

pineapple Osan oyibo

vegetables Efo corn agbado onions alubosa peppers ata beans ewa tomatoes tomato Yoruba Phrases

Enjoy these Yoruba expressions, but don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference.

English Yoruba Phrases

Greeting Mo kiyin

Hi! Bawo

Good morning! Ek'aro

Good afternoon! Ek'asan

Good evening! Ek'ale

Welcome! (to greet someone) Ek'abo

Hello my friend! Bawoni Oremi How are you? (friendly) Bawo lowa How are you? (polite) Bawo lara I'm fine, thank you! Mowa dada, Ese

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English Yoruba Phrases And you? (friendly) Iwo na nko

And you? (polite) Iwo nko

Good Oda

Not so good Kofibe da

Long time no see Ope ti mo ti rie

I missed you Mos'aro e

What's new? Kini tuntun

Nothing new Kosi tuntun

Thank you (very much)! Ese gan You're welcome! (for "thank

you") Ko t'ope

My pleasure Inu midun

Come in! (or: enter!) Wole wa

Make yourself at home! Ef'okan bale,Ile lewa Farewell Expressions

Have a nice day! Od'igba

Good night! Od'aro

Good night and sweet dreams! od'aro kosi la ala to da See you later! mari e ni'gba mi See you soon! mari e laipe See you tomorrow! mari e lola

Good bye! Od'abo

Have a good trip! Irin ajo ada o I have to go Moni lati malo I will be right back! Mon padabo

Holidays and Wishes

Good luck! Pade orire

Happy birthday! Eku ojo ibi Happy new year! Eku odun tuntun Merry Christmas! Eku odun keresimesi

Ei del kabir Eku odun Ileya

Independence day Eku odun ojo ominira Congratulations! Eku ori ire

Enjoy! (or: bon appetit) Igba dun Bless you (when sneezing) Epele

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English Yoruba Phrases Cheers! (or: to your health) Eku araya

Accept my best wishes Gba nkan rere timo fefun e How to Introduce Yourself

What's your name? Kini oruko e?

My name is (John Doe) Oruko mi ni (john Doe) Nice to meet you! Inumidun lati ri e Where are you from? Ilu wo loti wa? I'm from (the U.S/ Nigeria) Mowa lati ilu

(America/nigeria)

I'm (American/ Nigerian) Omo (America/Nigeria) nimi Where do you live? Ibo l'ongbe?

I live in (the U.S/ Nigeria) Mongbe ni(America/ nigeria) Do you like it here? S'o feran ibi?

Nigeria is a beautiful country Orile ede to rewa ni nigeria What do you do for a living? Ise wo lonse?

I'm a (teacher/ student/

engineer) (Oluko/akeko/ onimo ero) ni mi Do you speak (English/

Yoruba)? S'ole so ede(geesi/ yoruba)? Just a little Mole so die

I like Yoruba Moferan yoruba

I'm trying to learn Yoruba Mongbiyanju lati ko ede _yoruba It's a hard language Ede t'ole ni

It's an easy language Ede ti kole ni Oh! That's good! hehen, Iyen da Can I practice with you? se mole ko pelu e?

I will try my best to learn Mase iwon ti mole se lati ko How old are you? Omo odun melo ni e? I'm (twenty one, thirty two)

years old Omo (ogun odun lekan,ogun odun lemeji) ni mi It was nice talking to you! Mogbadun bi mose nba e soro It was nice meeting you! mogbadun bi mose pade e Mr.../ Mrs. .../ Miss... Ogbeni…/ Iya afin…/ _Omidan…. This is my wife Iyawo mi niyi

This is my husband Oko mi niyi Say hi to Thomas for me Bami ki Thomas

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English Yoruba Phrases Romance and Love Phrases

Are you free tomorrow

evening? S'o raye lati ola lo

I would like to invite you to

dinner mo fe kajo jade fun ounje ale You look beautiful! (to a

woman) O rewa gan lobinrin

You have a beautiful name Oruko re rewa Can you tell me more about

you? Se ole so si fun mi nipa re?

Are you married? Se oti se igbeyawo?

I'm single Mosi da wa

I'm married Moti se igbeyawo

Can I have your phone

number? Se mole gba nomba ero ibani soro re? Can I have your email? Se mole gba iwe ateranse re? Do you have any pictures of

you? Se oni awon aworan re?

Do you have children? Se oni awon omo? Would you like to go for a

walk? Se ole jeka nase jade

I like you Moferan e

I love you Mon'ife e!

You're very special! Eeyan pataki ni e! You're very kind! Odaa gan!

I'm very happy Inumi dun gan Would you marry me? Se wa femi? I'm just kidding Mon sere ni o I'm serious Mi o selere rara My heart speaks the language

of love Okan mi nso ede ife

Solving a Misunderstanding

Sorry! (or: I beg your pardon!) Ema binu Sorry (for a mistake) Epele

No problem! Kosi'yonu

Can you repeat please? Se ole tunso jo? Can you speak slowly? Se ole soro didie? Can you write it down? Se ole koosile?

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English Yoruba Phrases said?

I don't understand! Ko ye mi!

I don't know! Mi o mo!

What's that called in Yoruba? Kini won npe ni ede yoruba? What does that word mean in

English? Kini itumo oro yen ni ede geesi? How do you say "thanks" in

Yoruba? Bawo lese nso pe"Ese gan" ni ede yoruba? What is this? Ki leleyi?

My Yoruba is bad Ede yoruba mi da

Don't worry! Mase iyonu!

I agree with you Mo faramo nko to so Is that right? Se iyen da?

Is that wrong? Se iyen o da? What should I say? Kini kinso? I just need to practice moni lati ko gan Your Yoruba is good Ede yoruba re da

I have an accent Ede mi fihan pe mi owa lati ilu _yi You don't have an accent Ede re dabi tiwa

Asking for Directions Excuse me! (before asking

someone) Ejo

I'm lost Mi o mona

Can you help me? S'ele ran mi lowo? Can I help you? Se mole ran e lowo? I'm not from here Mio kinse ara ile yi How can I get to (this place,

this city)? Bawo ni mosele de adugbo yi?

Go straight Malo lookan

Then Tobaya

Turn left Ya si apa osi

Turn right ya si apa otun

Can you show me? S'ole fihan mi? I can show you! Mole fihan e Come with me! Telemi kalo! How long does it take to get

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English Yoruba Phrases Downtown (city center) Aarin ilu

Historic center (old city) Ilu atijo It's near here Itosi ibi It's far from here Ojina s'ibi Is it within walking distance? Se molerin debe

I'm looking for Mr. Smith Mon bere Ogbeni smith One moment please! Jo funmi ni iseju kan! Hold on please! (when on the

phone) Ejo monbo

He is not here Ibi kis'ebi ( kosi nibi)

Airport Papako Ofurufu

Bus station Ibudoko

Train station Ibudoko oko ojurin

Taxi tansi

Near Sunmo

Far Jina

Emergency Survival Phrases

Help! Egbawa o!

Stop! Oto!

Fire! Ina!

Thief! Ole!

Run! Sare!

Watch out! (or: be alert!) Egbara di Call the police! Epe olopa! Call a doctor! Epe dokita!

Call the ambulance! Epe oko tongbeyan lo si ile iwosan

Are you okay? S'owa daada!

I feel sick Ara mi oya

I need a doctor Moferi dokita

Accident Ijamba

Food poisoning Majele ounje Where is the closest

pharmacy? Ibo ni ile oloogun oyinbo to sunmon ju? It hurts here Eeyan nsese nibi?

It's urgent! Ogba kiakia!

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English Yoruba Phrases You will be okay! Ara re aya!

Can you help me? Se ole ranmi lowo? Can I help you? Se mole ran e lowo?

Hotel Restaurant Travel Phrases

I have a reservation (for a

room) Motigba yara kan sile

Do you have rooms available? Se awon yara wanle? With shower / With bathroom To ni baluwe

I would like a non-smoking

room Mofe yara ti won ti kin mu siga What is the charge per night? Elo ni owo re fun ale kan? I'm here on business /on

vacation Mo wasibi fun ise/ fun isinmi

Dirty Idoti

Clean Mimo

Do you accept credit cards? S'e n gba owo ni ona kaadi I'd like to rent a car Mafe lati ya oko ayokele How much will it cost? Elo lo ma na mi?

A table for (one / two) please! Ejo tabili fun eyan (kan/meji)! Is this seat taken? Se wan ti gba aye yi ni? I'm vegetarian Ounje elewe lemi nje I don't eat pork Mio kin je elede I don't drink alcohol Mio kin mu oti What's the name of this dish? Ki'loruko ounje yi? Waiter / waitress! Adani loun!

Can we have the check

please? S'ele fun mi ni iwe sowedowo na? It is very delicious! Odun gan!

I don't like it Mi o feran e Shopping Expressions Ise nibi nkan rira How much is this? Elo leleyi?

I'm just looking Mo kan nwo ni I don't have change Mio ni sanji This is too expensive Eyi ti won ju

Expensive Owon

Cheap Kowon

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English Yoruba Phrases What time is it? Ago melo lolu?

It's 3 o'clock Ago meta lolu Give me this! Fun mi leleyi! Are you sure? S'o da e loju? Take this! (when giving

something) Gba eleyi!

It's freezing (weather) Otutu gan nibi gan It's cold (weather) Otutu nibi

It's hot (weather) Ogbona nibi Do you like it? S'o feran e? I really like it! Moferan gan!

I'm hungry Ebi npa mi

I'm thirsty Orungbe ngbe mi

He is funny Apani lerin ni

In The Morning l'owuro

In the evening N'irole

At Night L'ale

Hurry up! Se kia!

Cuss Words (polite) This is nonsense! (or: this is

craziness) Kantan kantan leyi! My God! (to show amazement) Oluwa o!

Oh gosh! (when making a

mistake) Mogbe!

It sucks! (or: this is not good) Eyi oda! What's wrong with you? Kilo ndamu e? Are you crazy? S'onsiere ni? Get lost! (or: go away!) Kuroni'waju mi! Leave me alone! Fimi sile!

I'm not interested! Ko wunmi! Writing a Letter

Dear John John mi owan

My trip was very nice Irin ajo mi dara The culture and people were

very interesting Asa ati awon eyan yi daa gan ni I had a good time with you Mogbadun igba ti molo pelu e I would love to visit your

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English Yoruba Phrases Don't forget to write me back

from time to time Magbagbe lati mak'owe simi ni gbogbo igba Short Expressions and

words

Good Oda

Bad Koda

So-so (or: not bad not good) Koda kobaje

Big Nla Small Kekere Today Eni Now ni'sin Tomorrow Ola Yesterday Ana Yes Be'ni No Be'ko Fast yara Slow Koyara Hot Gbona Cold Tutu This Eyi That Iyen Here Ibi There Ibe

Me (ie. Who did this? - Me) Emi

You Iwo

Him Owun (okunrin)

Her Owun (obinrin)

Us Awa Them Awon Really? Looto? Look! Woo! What? Kini? Where? Nibo? Who? Tani? How? Bawo?

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English Yoruba Phrases

Why? kilo fa?

Zero Odo One Eni Two Eji Three Eta Four Erin Five Arun Six Efa Seven Eje Eight Ejo Nine Esan Ten Ewa Yoruba Reading

Read the following text very carefully and see what you can understand without looking at the English translation, and see what you understood from it.

Yoruba Reading

Abala ke rìndínló gbò n.

1) E nì kò ò kan ló ní è tó láti kó è kó . Ó kéré tán, è kó gbo dò jé ò fé ní àwo n è kó alákò ó bè rè . E kó ní ilé-è kó alákò ó bilé-è rilé-è yìí sì gbo dò jé dandan. A gbo dò pèsè è kó is é -o wó , àti ti ìmò -è ro fún àwo n ènìyàn lápapò . Àn fàní tó dó gba ní ilé-è kó gíga gbo dò wà ní àró wó tó gbogbo e ni tó bá tó sí.

2) Ohun tí yóò jé ète è kó ni láti mú ìlo síwájú tó péye bá è dá ènìyàn, kí ó sì túbò rí i pé àwo n ènìyàn bò wò fún è tó o mo nìyàn àti àwo n òmìnira wo n, tó jé kò-s eé-má-nìí. E tò è kó gbo dò lè rí i pé è mí;

ìgbó ra-e ni-yé, ìbágbépò àlàáfíà, àti ìfé ò ré -sí-ò ré wà láàrin orílè -èdè, láàrin è yà kan sí òmíràn àti láàrin e lé sìn kan sí òmíràn. E tò-è kó sì gbo dò kún àwo n akitiyan Àjo -ìsò kan orílè -èdè àgbáyé ló wó láti rí i pé àlàáfíà fìdí múlè .

3)Àwo n òbí ló ní è tó tó ga jù lo láti yan è kó tí wó n bá fé fún àwo n o mo wo n.

Abala ke tàdínló gbò n.

1) E nì kò ò kan ló ní è tó láìjé pé a fi ipá mú un láti kópa nínú àpapò ìgbé ayé àwùjo rè , kí ó je ìgbádùn gbogbo ohun àmús e wà ibè , kí ó sì kópa nínú ìdàgbàsókè ìmò sáyé n sì àti àwo n àn fàní tó ń ti ibè jáde.

2) E nì kò ò kan ló ní è tó sí ààbò àn fàní ìmo yì àti ohun ìní tí ó je yo láti inú is é yòówù tí ó bá s e ìbáà

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Yoruba Reading s e ìmò sáyé n sì, ìwé kíko tàbí is é o nà.

Below is the translation of the above text, check what you understood without the help of the dictionary, after reading the translation one time, go back up and read the Yoruba text and see if you can recognize the more words this time.

English Translation

Article 26

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and

fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

2. Education shall be directed to the full

development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote

understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the

maintenance of peace.

3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Article 27

1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. 2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

TONE MARKS

The tone marks adopted to help in pronouncing Yoruba words are the first three musical notes; do, re, mi.

“do” is the low tone. The sign representing this is \ “re” is the medium tone. It has no sign representation. “mi” is the high tone. The sign representing this is /

* Tone marks are strictly placed on Yoruba vowels.

For instance, try to call these common words below. Let the tones in the brackets above guide you, pronouncing the corresponding tone mark before pronouncing the word.

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Can you now try and pronounce these words below, putting to mind the tone marks just learnt:

WORD TONE (i). Come – wá mi

(ii). Child – ọmọ re re

(iii). A name – Adé re mi

(iv). Cooked garri – èbà do do

BIRDS

1. owl -òwìwí 2. bat - àdán

3. bush fowl - àparò 4. sparrow - ẹgà 5. kite - àwòdì 6. hawk - àşádì 7. eagle – àşá 8. vulture - igún 9. kiwi - ẹyẹ odò 10. duck - pẹpẹyẹ

11. guinea fowl - ẹtù; awó

12. fowl - adiẹ; cock -akukọ; hen - obídiẹ; chick - òròmọdìẹ

13. parrot - ayékòótọ

14. wood pecker – ẹyẹ àkókó 15. ostrich – ògòngò 16. peacock – ọkin 17. turkey – tòlótòló 18. dove – àdàbà 19. cuckoo - òdèrè ANIMALS 1. lion - kìnìùn 2. lizard - alàngbá 3. camel - ràkúnmí 4. donkey - kẹtẹkẹtẹ 5. elephant - erin 6. wolf - ìkòokò 7. hedgehog – túrùkú 8. snake- ejò 9. cat - olóngbo 10. horse - ẹşin 11. goat - ewurẹ

12. sheep – àgùtàn; ewe – àgùtàn; ram - àgbò 13. deer - èsúró 14. monkey - ọbọ 15. leopard - amọtẹkun 16. tiger - ẹkun 17. guinea pig - ẹmọ 18. hamster - aşin 19. dog - ajá 20. rabbit - ehoro 21. hare – ehoro igbo 22. tortoise – ìjàpá; ahun 23. fox - kọlọkọlọ 24. grasscutter - ọyà 25. buffalo - ẹfọn 26. squirrel - ọkẹrẹ 27. snail - ìgbìn 28. fish - ẹja

29. wall gecko - ọmọọle 30. turtle – ahun odò

31. lobster/prawn/crayfish - edè 32. chameleon - ọgà

33. squirrel - ọkẹrẹ 34. Iguana – antà

35. hippopotamus – erinmilokun; erin odó

36. crocodile - ọni 37. alligator - ẹlẹgungun

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BUILDING Ceiling – àjà Roof – òrùlé Roofing sheet – páànú Roofing – ríró ilé Wall – ògiri Fence – odi Window – fèrèsè Door – ilẹkun Carved door – aasẹ Pillar – òpó

Beams – arópòódògiri Corner – igununlé Backyard – ẹhìnkùùlé Frontage – iwájùúlé

Entrance – ojúulé; ẹnu ọna Corridor – ọdẹdẹ

Courtyard – igbẹjọ Veranda – ojúde Lobby – abawọle Dining – ibi -ijẹun Kitchen – ilé ìdáná Hearth – ààrò Toilet – ilé igbọnsẹ Bathroom – ilé iwẹ Gate – ìloro

Plastering – irẹle, rirẹ ilé Well – kànga Lamp – àtùpà Ladder – àkàbà; akasọ KITCHEN UTENSILS 1. teaspoon - şíbí tọbele 2. tablespoon – şíbí ìjẹun 3. fork – şíbí oníga 4. serving spoon – şíbí ìbù-njẹ 5. breakable plates – àwo 6. unbreakable plates - abọ;

abọmafọ

7. serving dish – àwo ìjẹun 8. tray - ọpọn

9. frying pan – agbada idinran 10. stove – sitoofu

11. water pot – ìkòkò omi 12. cooking pot – ìkòkò ìdáná 13. stool – àpótí

14. wooden spoon – şíbí onípọn 15. cup – ife

16. cutting saucer - igbakọ 17. stirring stick - orógùn

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YORÙBÁ FROM ENGLISH

Version 1 - with a few errors for correction please - February 2003 SIMPLE THROAT EXERCISE - 16 KEY WORDS

(Repeat EACH Yorùbá word shown in red many times slowly ... and then at VERY high speed)

English Yorùbá translation Pronunciation

Good Morning E KAAA-RO “AYKK0 ARR-ROW” Male OKUURIN “OH-KPP-RRNN”

Female OBIRIN “OH-BEAR-RRN”

Yes BEE NI “BEAR NEE”

No RARA/BEE KO “RATA/BEAR-KOU”

Good ODAA “OH-DAAA”

Please E JO “AY JAW”

Do you have? SE E NI? ”SAY AY NEE”

Thank you E SE “AY SHHHAY”

Goodbye O DABO “OH DAR-BOH”

See you soon!!! MA RI E LAIPE “MARR REE AY LIE-PEEH”

Who? TA-NI? “TARR-MEE”

What? KI-NI? “KEA-NEE”

I want MO FE “MO FAY”

Where? NIBO? “NEE-BOW”

OK! O-DAA! “OH-DAAA”

Note: For simplicity ... the program is typed without accents!

English Yorùbá translation Thank you. E se

Good Morning E karo

Yes/no Bee-ni/Rara

Please E jo/e joo/jowo

Everything is OK! Gbo-gbo e wa daa-daa (OK)!

Good morning E-karo.

My name is ... Oruko-o (name) mi ni ... What is your name? Ki ni oruko ee?

How are you? Se dandaa ni o?

Fine (thanks) Daadaa ni.

Where do you come from? Nibo (where) lo ti wa (come)? I am from ... Mo wa lati (from) ...

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so start chatting now ...to everyone ...

CRE - CREATIVE RELAXATION EXERCISE

THE NATURAL WAY TO PLAY

WITH LANGUAGE AND A BEAUTIFUL ACCENT WITH A 30 MINUTE AUDIO TAPE IN ONE DAY

KEY CONCEPT: "WHEN you create new POSITIVE wave patterns in YOUR mind, they give you the CONFIDENCE to RELAX and LEARN naturally without EFFORT ... E Se"

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 STRUCTURE

This program gives you practice in understanding the structure of the language almost instinctively, as for each difficult phrase, English words are inserted. There is a also a Mini Phrase-book, a Brief Note on Grammar and a list of the 100 "most used" words in conversation.

1.2 MEMORY

A simple technique for the memory of difficult sounds is to make up a ridiculous English phrase as a memory "trigger", for example:

Yes ... bee-ni ... say ...

... yes ... be nice say yes ... bee ni Goodbye ... o dabo ... say ...

... goodbye ... o dear Bob ...bye bye ... o dabo I want ... mo fe ... say ...

... I want ... moaning for it again ... mo fe

or email [email protected] for our CRE 33 MemoryAlert. 1.3 PRACTICE.

Learn very rapidly the list of "most used 100 words" and each day, take one

page of the mini-phrase-book, to make 10 minutes of Yorùbá conversation with a natural speaker or aloud with yourself. Then make a friend of the main Yorùbá Phrase-book.

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INSTANT RELAXATION TECHNIQUE

1. This is a simple IRT exercise, to give you confidence to learn naturally. When you don't believe you can learn ... you won't learn! ... When you are tense, anxious and stressed ... you won't learn! When you have no confidence ... you won't learn. But with relaxation, your mind and body become clear, confident and ready to learn. So do the IRT exercise now ... and again before every CRE session. It takes only three minutes, and with practice, it becomes a powerful tool for you. The only "equipment" you need is an "open mind" and a marble (or similar small object) in your "right" (major) hand.

2. So, get into that comfortable position, in which you know ... you really can relax. Be aware that marble gets warm as it absorbs heat from contact with your right hand. Open you hand and allow the warmth to evaporate. Close the hand again, and recognize the marble ... as a physical external symbol ... of the internal function of your mind and body. Allow it to receive and

evaporate not just heat ... but emotion, anxiety and stress ... leaving you free, relaxed, confident and ready to learn to speak and understand the natural language without effort ....

3. Now, relax with the hands on the lap, and fix your eyes on the marble as you repeat aloud ... the following sentence ... four times, feeling free to change the wording a little ... to fit your style ... four times ... aloud ... in all:

"I AM, I CAN, I WILL, I BELIEVE ... I WILL LEARN ... AND HELP OTHERS TO LEARN ... TO SPEAK AND ENJOY ... THE NEW NATURAL LANGUAGE ... WITH A BEAUTIFUL ACCENT ... NATURALLY ... RAPIDLY ... EASILY ... WITHOUT EFFORT"

4. With the eyes fixed on the marble ... or closed if you wish ... start to take three slow and very deep breaths ... and be sure to pause ... on each inhalation ... and imagine ... each exhalation ... as transferring all the anxiety and stress ... from your mind and body ... through to the marble in your hand.

5. After the third breath, let your whole mind and body relax completely for two minutes ... thinking ONLY of your breathing ... nothing else ... no self talk at all ... just concentrate on the BREATHING ... very important, counting down from 20 to 1

6. Then bring yourself back, by simply counting up from 1 to 5, feeling well, relaxed, confident and ready to learn. The marble is now your very personal symbol ... of your confidence to learn and speak the natural language with a beautiful accent.

Note: This simple CRE "Instant Relaxation Technique" can be used anywhere

(eyes open or closed) to achieve a calm mind ... without anger, anxiety or stress ... ready and confident to learn .. or deal with any new problem ... that you have to face. Keep the marble always to hand, as a symbol ... of your confidence ... to feel comfortable ... in the new natural language ... and to speak almost instinctively ... without stress or effort ...

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NATURAL SUGGESTIONS

Plan to do the whole CRE in one 6 hour CRE day, with a partner or a small group. A natural speaker (if available) would be most welcome as a partner or group member. On the day before, as pre-learning (alone), play the 30 minute tape, just before sleeping, speaking all the time, completely relaxed making no conscious effort to learn anything.

After the one full day of CRE, plan revision during your NORMAL ROUTINE in the following week, for just an hour a day. Feel free to do it in any way ... that YOU know ... will suit YOU best ... and will allow you ... both to speak AND to understand ... what is spoken to you ... so relax completely ... and ABSORB ... both consciously and sub-consciously ... the very carefully selected ... 30 minute audio tape ... of new natural language ... which becomes part of you ... intuitively ... instinctively ... without effort ... as you relax with IRT and establish a very POSITIVE attitude ... and a confident EXPECTATION of SUCCESS ... just from PLAYING ... with the natural language ... Our suggested schedule for the 6 hour CRE day (with breaks as needed) is:

1 – Do IRT. Do the Throat exercise - 16 key words

Play the tape (30 minutes) with the text (hear, see, speak, MOVE, and feel) ... make it fun! Review the Natueal Vocabulary (2 pages).

2 – Repeat the text (Sections 2-4) to understand every word!

Play the tape with the text SPEAKING VERY LOUDLY - STOP THE TAPE AND SING OR SHOUT ANY VERY DIFFICULT PHRASES.

Do SPEED READING (2-16) in 14 minutes (recorded if possible- for fun!). Review the Grammar (1 page) and the Glossary.

3 – Repeat the text (Sections 5-10) to understand every word!

Play the tape WITHOUT the text, SPEAKING IN VERY DRAMATIC style. Repeat the Throat exercise.

Begin to create simple conversation with the Mini-phrase book (Hello etc.). 4 – Repeat the text (Sections 11-16) to understand every word!

Play the tape with the text, SPEAKING SOFTLY with a good accent. Do SPEED READING (Sections 2-16) and Mini-phrase Book. 5 – Play the tape WITHOUT the text, speaking with three different

voices - just for fun!. Create conversation with the Mini-phrase book. Do SPEED READING (2-16).

. 6 - Play the tape SPEAKING with a beautiful CONFIDENT accent. Do the quiz (1 page). Create converation with mini phrase book.

Do SPEED READING (2-16) and Mini-phrase book 14 minutes.

Do APS and plan for individual review next week, helping partners as needed.

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NATURAL SUGGESTIONS (continued) Generally:

1. REINFORCE the learning in the CAR/TRUCK at any time … make it an amusing THEATRE of one … YOU!!! … by playing and acting out … ONLY Sections 2 - 16. DO NOT play the relaxation sections in the car ... skip them please! Play the Learning Reinforcement side of the tape as needed for encouragement, be sure to blame your strategy, and not yourself!! 2. RECOGNIZE that a TERRIBLE accent is PAINFUL … for the hearer … and so strive always for a beautiful accent in EVERY WORD.

3. Be POSITIVE and NEVER apologise for your language … you are making the effort to learn the LANGUAGE … and the HUMAN VALUES … an thus the CULTURE … of the people you speak with … and THEY will appreciate MORE than you can EVEN imagine!! If they reply to you in ENGLISH … then YOU just CONTINUE to speak in the NATURAL new language … and they will too ...

4. LISTEN very carefully to what PEOPLE say to YOU … and BEFORE replying … REPEAT in YOUR MIND ... EXACTLY what they said … … this gives you excellent PRACTICE in recognising good STRUCTURE.

5. HESITATE before you SPEAK … and then speak FREELY and CONFIDENTLY … without long pauses and … WITHOUT … "Urrs and Umms" which are so ANNOYING and BORING … for the listener ...

6. When you do not know a necessary word … do NOT hesitate … simply USE the ENGLISH word … in the sentence … the hearer will almost

certainly give you the translation … and you can repeat it … three times to get it right … without embarrassment. Use the LEARNING

REINFORCMENT as needed but not in the car!

7. Use SIMPLE SHORT sentences and be CONFIDENT as you begin to talk to people ... expect SUCCESS ... and you will NOT be disappointed ... and try just one MORE new thing ... just for fun in this one week ... drink one litre of WATER EVERY DAY … it rinses mind and body and has a REMARKABLE preventive/curative therapeutic effect … to support new learning ... on we go together.

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1. GENTLE RELAXATION ...

And now … I'd like you to arrange yourself … in a position that is so comfortable ... and natural … for you ... so that you can sit … or lie … for a while ... easily and effortlessly ... and where you can be comforable ... and yet still remain alert enough ... to focus on the meaningful ... natural language learning ... that we will do together ... natural anguage ... gentle ... quiet ... peaceful ... and instinctive ... without any effort ... as you absorb its deepest meaning ... interpretation ... and value ... in terms of very personal expectations.

And then when your are ready … to focus yourself ... you can begin by taking a few deep relaxing breaths ... breathing slowly ... and feeling the rise of your chest ... as you gradually inhale ... feeling that each breath in ... and out ... relaxes you ... calms you ... and re-acqaints you ... with deeper parts of yourself that you are sometimes too busy to notice.

You know ... and I know ... its very easy ... to get caught up in day to day living ... there is so much to do ... and now is your time … and I would like you to allow your eyes to close ... as you start to build ... an internal focus ... within yourself ... on those parts of yourself... that will absorb the natural language ... gently ... peacefully … and instinctively ... almost automatically ... as you … let yourself go ... relax ... without conscious effort ... because you have nothing … to do … now … except relax ..

And as we go on together ... repeating the phrases ... in the natural language ... with your whole body involved ... moving hands and face … feelings and body … to express … and absorb the words and phrases ... as they will come … instinctively ... to your mind ... as you speak softly ... with a beautiful accent ... yes … with a beautiful accent … which will please and surprise you... as its fits the music ... of the natural language

So on we go together ... speaking all the time ... and moving hands, face feelings and body … to express ourselves ... in the new natural language ... as you create new wave patterns … in that special… "Yorùbá Place" … in your mind …

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2. HERE AND THERE:

Mo (I) wa (at present) nibi yi (am). I am here.

E (you) wa nibe (there). You (are) there.

Se (question) o (you) wa nibe? (Are) you there?

Bee ni. o wa nibe. Yes, you (are) there.

Se o -wa nibi? (Are) you here?

Rara, o si (not) nibi. No, you (are) not here.

O (it) wa nibi yi. It is here.

Nibo lo (it) wa (at present)? Where is it?

O wa nibi yi. It is here.

So (question) wa nibe? Is it there?

Mo (I) ko (not) mo (know). I do not know.

Nibo ni Miguel wa (at present)? Where is Miguel?

Ko (he) si (not) nibi yi. He is not here.

Nibo lo (he) wa? Where is he?

Mo (I) mo (know) rara (not). I do not know. Huh! O wan (there) na (he) re (is). Darn-it! There he is! Eniyam (he) todar (wonderful) ni (is). He is wonderful! 3. LIKING:

Mo ni fe (like) e (you). I like you. Se (question) o (you) fe-ron (like) mi (me)? Do you like me? Bee ni, mo ran (like) e (you). Yes, I like you.

Se feran owo (money)? Do you like money?

Bee ni, mo fe-ran owo. Yes, I like the money.

Mo fe-ran omi (water).. I like water.

O (you) feran omi. You like water.

Mo fe-ran awon (some) iwe (books). I like some books.

O fe-ran moto (car) naa.. He likes the car.

Ko (she not) fe-ran moto naa. She does not like the car. Se fe-ran onje (dinner) naa? Do you like the dinner? Rara, mo ko fe onje naa. No, I do not like the dinner.

Oh. Huh! Huh! Oh. Darn-it! Mate!

Jowo, mase (do not) soro Huh. Please do not say Mate! 4. DOING:

Mo se I do. Mo se seji (this). I do this. Ko (you) se e You do.

Ko se iye (that) You do that

Ao se iye. We do that

Pelu (and) inu (we) wa (at present) n-du (happy) And we are happy.

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Bee ni, kole (diificult) rara (not). Yes, it is not difficult. Se (question) wa e se (do) iye (that)? Do (you) do that? Jowo (please) se (do) iye (that) Do that please!!!

Huh!! Darn-it!!!

O-ya (it) ni (is) lenu-papo (wondefrful). It is wonderful! 5. CAN/ABLE TO DO:

Mo le (can). I can SE )question) mo le? Can I? Bee ni, mo le. Yes, I can. Se (question) o le (can) se (do) seyi (this? Can you do this? Bee ni, mo le se yi (that). Yes, I can do that. Mo le je (eat) die (little) I can eat a little.

Mo le mu (drink) die. I can drink a little.

Mo le malo (go). I can go. Mo l wa (come) I can come. Mo le sun (sleep). I can sleep. O (you) le soro (speak). You can speak. Se (question) le soro? Can (you) speak? Bee ni, mo le. Yes, I can.

Se (question) le se seyi (this)? Can you do this? Rara, mo ko (not) le se iye (that). No, I can not do that. Se (question) o (you) le ye (understand)? You can understand?

Se le se ye? Can you understand?

So le ye? Can you understand?

Bee nidie (litt;e). Yes, a little.

Se le soro (speak) huh? Can you say Mate?

Bee ni, mo le soro Yoruba die. Yes, I can speak a little Yoruba!

Huh! Enyam tadani mi! Darn-it! I am wonderful!

6. UNDERSTANDING:

O ye mi. I understand.

Ko ye na. I do not understand. So ye e. You understand.

Ko le ye rara. You do not understand.

Se (question) obirin (women) ye (understand)i? (Do you) understand women? Rara. Rara, ko ye mi rara? No. No. I do not understand them!!!

Oh. Huh! Huh! Oh. Darn-it! Mate!

Jowo, mase (do not) soro Huh. Please do not say Mate!

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7. WANTING:

Mo fe I want.

Mo fe je (eat) die I want to eat a little.

Mo fe mimu omi I want to drink the water. Mo fe lo (go) s-ile-gbonse (toilet) I want to go to the toilet!!! Se(question) wa (at prsent) je (eat) die? Do you want to eat a little? Rara, mi o fe je. No, I do not want to eat. Huh! Mo fr funi (give) ni (you) die. Darn! I want to give you a bit.

Rara. e se. No thank you.

Mo fe wa (come). I want to come.

Se o fe sun (sleep) pelu-mi (with me)? Do you want to sleep with me? Rara, mo ko fe sun. No, I do not want to sleep.

Miguel, se fe je opolo (frogs)? Miguel do you want to eat the frogs? Zut! Rara, ko (not) se ni-si-yi (now). e se. Darn-it! Not just now, thank you!

Enjan hda ni wa. We are wonderful!

8. GETTING:

E jowo, fun (give) mi owo (money) na. Please give me the money. E jowo, gba (take) owo na. Please take the money.

Mo le gba owo na. I can take the money.

E jowo, fun mi tiket. Please give me the ticket.

E jowo, gba tiket-i. Please take the ticket.

Mo le gba tiket. I can take the ticket.

E jowo, fun mi kini (that) Please give me that.

Nibo ni kini ye na? Where is the thing?

Mo mo?????. I do not know.

E jowo, fun mi okurin(man). Please give me a man!

Huh!!! Oberin re e! Darn-t!!! What a woman!!

Oburin to da ni. She is wonderful!

9. HAVING:

E mi ohun kan. I have one thing.

E mi ma ohun kan I do not have one thing. E se, ohun kan You have one thing. E-ao ohun kan We have one thing.

E un ohun kan She has one thing.

E mi aago ki, Iya-woo! I have the time, Miss!

E se pamosi ki, O-koo Do you have some money, Sir?

Rara. No.

Oh. Merde! Oh. Mate!

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10. ORDERING (POLITELY):

E jo e de mi ohun kan, Please give me the thing. E jo, e de mi pamosi Please give me the money. E jo, e de mi omi. Please give me the water. E see e Thank you.

Ma mimu ami e France na. Please don’t drink the water in France!!

Mimu ,wain-i Drink the wine.

E jo ma nibi. Please come here. e jo, jade nijen. Please go there. Mimu leyi. Please drink this. Ma nma niyi na. Do not eat that! E jo, e de mi leyi. Please give me this. E jo, ma gbe niyi na, Please do not take that. e jo gbo leyi. Please say this.

Jowo, mase (do not) soro Huh. Please do not say Mate!

Zut! E se e. Se gbadun ni. Darn-it! Thank you. You are wonderful!

11. GREETING:

Ba wo ni, Michelle. Hello Michelle. Ba wo ni, Paula. Hello Paula.

E karo, Miche. Good morning Miche. Mingala ba, Sancos. Good morning Sancos. Se daadaa ni, Eliza? How are you, Eliza? Dadaa ni o, Khulu. I am well, Khulu. Ba-wan, Xavier? How goes it, Xavier? O-daa, e se, Miguel. OK , thank you Miguel. A digba, Giles. Goodbye Giles.

A dabo Judith. Bye bye Judith.

Bee ni. O-daa, Hollie Yes OK, Hollie.

Gbadun yi, Heidi! It is wonderful, Heidi! O daa, Sam.? OK Sam?

Bee ni a-daa, Lucie. Yes OK, Lucie.

Ko wa buru na, Henri. Not too bad, Henri.

Se ara re da, Alblufin? Are you well, my darling?

Rara.! No!!!

Huh! Obimin to-da-ni! She is wonderful!

12. DESCRIBING:

Lo daa (good) ra It is good.

Ko daa ra. It is not good.

Ko daa ra. It is bad (not good).